Free Path of Bones by Steven Montano Page A

powerful people in that city who wanted her dead.  Even being as close as they were now was probably an unnecessary risk.  Kath had brought up the notion of going in alone so he could get supplies, but Ijanna wouldn’t have it, and she insisted they were likely to run into some honest merchants traveling between Kaldrak Iyres and Allaj Mohrter who they could barter with instead.  Kath was dubious, but he was the first to admit he didn’t know the territory nearly as well as she did, and he only hoped they’d find one of those merchants soon. 
    Kath closed his eyes and silently prayed.  He was thankful they’d made it as far as they had.  None of the problems they’d experienced since leaving Ebonmark had been anything they couldn’t handle.  Kath had some combat experience – he’d fought brigands with the City Watch and had gone toe-to-toe with Tuscars – but the thought of what waited for them in the Bonelands froze his blood.  They were venturing into unholy lands, territories that had been scarred and scourged by magic, which in the eyes of the One Goddess’s church was what Gallador deserved for allying itself with an infernal creature like the Blood Queen.  Now she was dead, just another of the Unmaker’s countless abominations, but if their mission in the north failed Ijanna and Kath were going to bring her back to life.  Ijanna insisted that doing so would save lives, but no matter how hard he tried Kath couldn’t believe that.  Part of him wondered if Ijanna wasn’t insane.  Even if she was, he was her prisoner, held captive by a force he couldn’t comprehend or resist.
    But just because I have to protect her doesn’t mean I can’t try to talk some sense into her.   Unfortunately, every time he thought about saying something his words caught in his throat.
    He watched Ijanna while she ate, but she was so exhausted she didn’t even seem to notice.  They were both covered with sweat and dust, and it was clear from the lines under her eyes that she needed sleep.  Firelight reflected off her pale Allaji skin.  She’d undone her braid a few days ago, so her blonde hair hung loose down around her shoulders.  Her deep crimson eyes shone like gems in the night. 
    Goddess, I don’t know what to do. 
    In the end it seemed he had little choice.  Ijanna had told him it was the Veil that had placed the compulsion for him to serve and protect her, and if he resisted he’d die.  The truth was he didn’t want to fail her, but the thought of resurrecting the Unmaker’s servant twisted him from the inside out.
    The sun turned molten as it set, a yellow stain in the brick red dusk.  The Bonelands always seemed to be covered with shadows, and the air was dry and course in spite of their proximity to Thorn Lake and the River Black.  Kath drank sparingly from his canteen and licked his dry lips.
    “ Once we’re past Kaldrak Iyres,” Ijanna said quietly, “we should slow down.  I don’t think I can keep up this pace.”
    “ Well,” Kath said, “ you set it.”
    “ I know.  And I’m sorry.”  She smiled.  He liked being on friendly terms with her and able to talk again, even if he couldn’t bring himself to say what really needed to be said. 
    Being friends isn’t going to help much when things get more complicated. 
    “Well, we probably shouldn’t go too slow,” Kath said.  “The Bonelands are dangerous.”
    “ We’ll stick close to the western trade roads as long as we can,” Ijanna said.  “We’re bound to find a caravan so we can get fresh supplies.  As we go further north I’ll steer us clear of the Razorcat hunting grounds and Dust Men tombs.  We’ll also avoid the ruined cities.”
    Kath stood and stretched.  He heard animal calls in the distance: not wolves, but something bigger. 
    “It would be nice to sleep with a roof over our heads,” he said. 
    “ Trust me, the ruined cities of Gallador are the most dangerous parts of the Bonelands.  Which